Social Studies Curriculum for Middle School

Middle school is a time of big changes for many students. They are inching into their teenage years, developing hobbies and interests, and beginning to wrestle with the big questions of the world. Their recent transition from elementary school to middle school has reminded them that more changes are in store soon, and they may begin thinking about their future career.

Middle school can also be challenging for parents, as children tend to ask to be treated like adults (even when they’re not quite there yet). These are the years when they’re starting to find their voices, exploring their passions, and developing opinions about society.

Regardless of where your child’s interests naturally lie, the topics discussed in social studies are valuable for every informed citizen. The goal of a strong homeschool social studies curriculum is to strengthen their civic knowledge, such as how voting works or how supply and demand can influence a local business. Social studies lessons should contribute to students growing into well-rounded adults.

Social Studies Curriculum for Middle School

A complete middle school social studies curriculum typically covers lessons that prepare them for their high school education and beyond. Middle school social studies bridges the foundational information of elementary school with the increasingly complex information they’ll later encounter. History topics in middle school social studies include…

• American history
• Government, civics, and economics
• World geography 
• Migration, exploration, colonization, and slavery
• Wars, political divisions, and alliances
• Ancient civilizations to the modern world

Ancient World History

Suggested Grades: 4th-6th

In our Ancient World History course, students take a comprehensive journey across early civilizations, from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, India, China, Greece, and Rome to the Americas. Students will be able to identify a civilization, understand the impact of geography on human settlements, and learn how ancient empires shaped the world we know today. Key topics include: 

• Cultural hearths, what makes a civilization, and the five themes of geography
• The very first civilization in Mesopotamia
• Egyptian and African kingdoms
• Judaism and the Persian Empire
• Dynasties and empires of India
• Dynasties and the Imperial Period in China
• Ancient Greek civilizations, from Athens and Sparta to the Hellenistic Period
• The Roman Republic and Roman Empire

U.S. Government

Suggested Grades: 5th-7th

U.S. Government teaches students to describe cause-and-effect relationships and multiple perspectives, explain the use of primary and secondary sources when studying history, analyze data from diverse materials, synthesize information from multiple sources, and draw an evidence-based conclusion. Students will strengthen their social studies skills in a variety of areas to prepare them for advanced topics in high school. Key topics include:

• Why the Constitution was created by the Founding Fathers 
• The three branches of government and what they do
• Citizen’s rights and responsibilities and the branches of the military
• Federalism, delegated powers, reserved powers, and taxes
• How government works, including elections, lobbying, foreign policy, and more
• Who the U.S. presidents are

U.S. History 1 : Exploration – 1877

Suggested Grades: 7th-8th

In U.S. History 1, students will learn about the history of the United States from discovery up to the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. Students will also learn about wars, treaties, legislation, and amendments that occurred up until 1877. Key topics include: 

• Native American cultures and contributions
• European, Spanish, and Columbian exploration
• The Colonial Period and major British colonies
• The American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence
• Early independence, including the Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention
• Westward expansion, including the Louisiana Purchase, Oregon Trail and removal of Native tribes
• Changes in politics, slavery, the Industrial Revolution, and immigration
• The Civil War and Reconstruction period

U.S. History 2: Reconstruction – 1960s

Suggested Grades: 7th-8th

U.S. History 2: Reconstruction – 1960s is the additional course that finishes U.S. History 1. In this course, students will learn about the history of the United States from the Reconstruction Period through the mid 20th century. This course helps students understand current events by analyzing those from the previous 150 years. Key topics include: 

• The Reconstruction Era under different presidencies and eventual abandonment
• Western expansion, new opportunities, and immigration
• The rise of big business, city living, and the development of the American working class
• Imperialism in the Pacific and Latin America
• The Progressive Era, Theodore Roosevelt, and social reform
• World War I, diplomacy, and American involvement
• The Roaring ‘20s: prohibition, gangsters, the Harlem Renaissance and mass entertainment
• World War II & the Cold War

Bonus Social Studies Activities for Middle School

There are many exciting ways to integrate your child’s interests into history lessons! Here are some fun social studies activities and resources to explore with your child:

Miacademy’s Social Studies Homeschool Curriculum

Our social studies lessons are designed to be as flexible as you need them to be. We believe that homeschool students learn best when parents can adapt their curriculum to a variety of learning needs and lifestyles. Each of our lessons gives you the room to include your own experiences, connections, and resources. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we offer a one-stop shop for you and your child.

We have dozens of social studies lessons for students on any grade level, and we’re adding more all the time! Our lessons include engaging videos, fun activities, games, and helpful PDFs. Students can use our read-aloud feature for their quizzes to aid comprehension, and students can repeat any assignments or videos for extra practice. 

Additionally, supplementing with our social studies curriculum lets you apply learning in fun, engaging ways. Our site also gives students the flexibility to move ahead or slow down where your other curriculum will not.You can adjust the pacing and lessons to your student’s needs to help them grasp new concepts.

Furthermore, our curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Schools, Western Association for Schools and Colleges (ACS-WASC). Our accredited middle school courses are designated as a Supplementary Education Program, meaning they meet the high educational quality standards  for a homeschool or distance-learning program. Our resources and lesson quality also meet state and federal standards, such as the C3 Framework for Social Studies. 

If you have any questions about how Miacademy or MiaPrep’s online social studies curriculum can benefit your child, feel free to chat with one of our friendly customer service agents! They’ll be happy to help you with any questions you may have.

Updated 1/12/2024